About
3D HostNote: 3D Host has ceased all hosting operations and no longer accepts new customers. This page remains for historical purposes.

We
specialize in inexpensive ActiveWorlds
hosting and virtual Web hosting for those interested in computer generated
art, machinima,
short films, movies, virtual reality and gaming -- as well as Web sites
that deal with a wide range of other topics.

We've been hosting since 1998, have over six years of experience dealing
with ActiveWorlds and possess over a decade of general computer experience.
Here at 3D Host, we strive to maintain an affordable, smooth and speedy
hosting solution with minimal downtime. We do our best to ensure the quality
of our services and pass savings onto you.

3D Host is based in the United States (in Pennsylvania) and is owned by
Vast Nexus. We
deeply respect and care about you (our customer), holding both your opinions
and privacy in high regard. Let's work together to find a solution that
caters to your particular hosting needs.

About ActiveWorldsActiveWorlds (AW for short) is a three-dimensional (3D), multi-user software
program that allows people from all over the world to interact with
each other in real-time over the Internet. Unlike computer games such
as Quake
and Half-Life
(that are made up of pre-compiled, non-changeable levels), you
are able to change almost any aspect of the 3D environment on-the-fly,
in real-time.

AW was originally designed to be run on the Microsoft
Windows operating system, but may be used on Mac and Unix-based systems
via software emulation. AW also has a chat feature, instant messaging
(called telegrams), a built-in contact list and multi-lingual support.
Users can claim their own virtual property and literally build their
own homes out of thin air. This virtual property is stored on what is
called a world server.

Each
world usually has an underlying theme or setting to it that users try
to follow. Currently, there are over a thousand different worlds in
the AW universe. One of the services 3D Host offers is ActiveWorlds
world hosting (keeping worlds online and operational year-round). You
can add sound, music (including MP3 files), lighting, timing effects,
animation and more to each and every object you build.

Building is done
using the mouse and/or keyboard. Your creativity is the limit when it
comes to building -- almost anything that you can imagine can be created.
In addition, each user can choose from a large list of avatars
(virtual reputations of yourself in the 3D environment). All of the
objects and avatars in a world are stored on an object
path -- which is why we offer object path hosting as well.

Games
(such as tag, chess, checkers, role-playing and paintball) can also
be played within ActiveWorlds, adding even more fun to the mix. However,
ActiveWorlds itself is not classified as just a game. It is better described
as a virtual online community. You can play games in AW through the
use of a bot (a special program
that resides in a world and interacts with the virtual environment and
other users); but ActiveWorlds itself is not a game. Bots can greatly
enhance the level of interactivity in AW. Yes, we offer bot hosting,
too.

Learn more about our ActiveWorlds hosting services by clicking here.
Visit the official ActiveWorlds Web site and learn more about it by
clicking here.

History of ActiveWorldsActiveWorlds was originally called Alpha World and created in 1995 by a company
called Worlds Incorporated (now known as Worlds.com).
Circle of Fire Studios, Inc. (COF for short) later acquired the program
and its chief employees eventually formed Activeworlds Corporation (AWC).
AWC was a publicly traded company for a certain amount of time, until
most of its assets were sold off and ownership was transferred.

Activeworlds
Incorporated (AWI for short) now owns and runs ActiveWorlds. ActiveWorlds' original creator and lead programmer, Ron Britvich, no longer
works on the project. Today, the AW software remains one of the most popular
multi-user, real-time 3D environments on the Internet. For more information
regarding ActiveWorlds' history, we suggest you look at the following
Web sites: